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July 27, 2007
League steps up to the plate
Softball teams create competitive spirit and many new friendships.
FREEMAN PORITZ
Question: What are the Green Hornets, Black Bettys and Red Superbad?
Answer: They're all teams in the Jewish Community Centre Jewish
Softball League – one of the mainstays of organized Jewish
sports in Vancouver.
No one seems to know a precise history of the league, but both JCC
sports co-ordinator Kyle Berger and JSL veteran Dave Taussig estimate
that it has been successfully running for more than 15 years.
Berger, who runs the league, played up the benefits of its co-ed
nature. "Every once in a while, I have people telling me that
they want to join the league because they want to meet somebody,"
he said. "A lot of the times, these leagues, especially co-ed
softball leagues, are like singles events - people going to meet
somebody. People are interested to meet new friends or their future
husband or wife."
Taussig, captain of the Purple Reign team, has been playing in the
league for years. He and his wife, Jenny, play in the JCC softball
and hockey leagues together. Currently, the Taussigs' team is sitting
comfortably in first place at the top of the league. "It [the
JSL] is a friendly league," said Taussig.
"Most of the players from your team know most of the players
from the other teams – obviously, you know your teammates best,
but I know 90 per cent of the players on the other teams. It's a
friendly atmosphere. You go to the games. You do a little joking
with the other teams – you tease them about it if they miss
a ball or make a good hit. And then after the game, my team always
goes out for a drink or a bite to eat – and often, players
from the other team will join us. Or both teams will just go together
and sit and do something together. One of the things that appeals
to me is just the social aspect of the league."
The season runs from May-August of each year, with each team playing
about 15 games before the playoffs. This year's league has six teams,
with an average of 12 players per team. Participants can also sign
us as individuals. "The league does have a draft with the six
captains, or how many teams there are in any given year. However,
we strive to have groups sign up as a group," added Taussig.
Mike Rozen, a four-year veteran of the JSL, continues to come back
season after season because of the people. "They're pretty
friendly," he said. "I like both the social aspect and
the competition. I'm always telling people to join!"
Mark Rogen, captain of the Red Superbad team, has been involved
with the JSL for six seasons. "This year, I was very lucky,
because I was able to pull together a team mostly of my daughter
and her friends," he said. "That was a big goal for me
– to play with my daughter." His team is currently last
in the standings, although they haven't had to forfeit any games
yet. Nonetheless, with the playoffs approaching quickly, every game
is important. Said Taussig, with confidence, "We'll be in the
running [for the championship]."
Freeman Poritz is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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